Child Hunger in Oregon

In 2011 Feeding America named Oregon one of the top five states with the highest rate for food insecure children. In the David Douglas school district, 77 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. In Parkrose, that number is 76 percent; Reynolds, 72 percent; Centennial, 68 percent; Gresham, 49 percent and Portland Public, 45 percent. According to Oregon Food Bank 270,000 people per month eat meals from emergency food boxes. That's half of Portland's population. Of those, 92,000 are children. Since the beginning of the Great Recession in 2008, emergency food box distribution has increased 41 percent.

Clearly there is a need in Oregon for food assistance and service. But how can you help? Please check out the Community Connections on the Hunger & Poverty page to find service opportunities, and areas of need.